From the very first call answered, Option Line consultants, caring women trained by Heartbeat International, have been able to speak hope into panicked moments of confusion. Four million calls later, our consultants continue to treat each and every point of contact with a caller with the compassionate care she deserves. To each woman calling in, this is the hardest moment she has ever had to face in her life.

Established in 2003, Option Line is the only fully staffed, bilingual pro-life contact center in the U.S. Since we first answered the call, we’ve reached over 4 million women and men, many who are desperate for answers in an unexpected pregnancy.

Every day, more than 1,100 people reach out to Option Line via phone call, live chat, texting and email for help. The number of women and men Option Line reaches continues to grow. As a result, more lives are rescued from abortion. Every call helps reduce the demand for abortion, making abortion unwanted and eventually unthinkable. 

Each call is a story...

2009 - 1 Million Calls

Even before we had live chat as a way to contact Option Line (chat launched in 2010), we served over 1 million people crying out for help through phone, a website, and email. We answered each call, we helped with any immediate pregnancy need she may have, and we connected her with a local pregnancy help organization. We know that the best alternative to an abortion is another person.

2014 - 2 Millionth Call

In the wee hours of the morning, a call came in to Option Line. On the other end of the phone was a young woman seeking abortion information. She was referred to our affiliated pregnancy help organization in Warren, Ohio that could offer her so much more than abortion and empower her to make positive choices for her future.

2018 - 3 Millionth Call

On a Thursday afternoon, Jennifer contacted Option Line through our live chat feature at OptionLine.org. She told the Option Line consultant that she was 19 years old and realized she was pregnant. Jennifer said she felt caught between what was “right” and what was “easy,” and she simply wanted the whole thing behind her. Our Option Line consultant assured her she was not alone and prayed with her. Our consultant helped to calm her fears and encouraged her to get help at a local pregnancy center near her in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

2020 - 4 Millionth Call

Early on a Monday morning, a seasoned consultant working for Option Line received a chat from a woman in India. Sorting through her concerns, the consultant worked with her to find a pregnancy help organization near her through Heartbeat’s Worldwide Directory of Pregnancy Help. This cry for help shows the global nature of the need for pregnancy help.

Our Work Continues & Expands...

As technology has improved through the years, we have embraced it and so that we can increase the number of people served through Option Line. Notice that the time period is reduced between each millionth call answered!

We continue to find and implement effective technology such as adding Live Chat options to connect and utilizing online advertising. This allows us to reach more women and better serve the movement.

As calls for help continue, we have expanded our services to answer the cries for help for not only women seeking pregnancy help, but also for the Safe Haven Alliance and the Abortion Pill Rescue Network. 

When women seek pregnancy help, we are equipped to answer their questions and serve them swiftly in real-time.

As our reach expands, people from all over the world are finding Option Line. The fact that we are able to serve a woman in India to help locate a pregnancy help organization in her area from our call center in Ohio is another miracle of technology.

While not everyone is available 24/7/365 to serve those in need, Heartbeat International's Option Line is! And we will continue to serve until abortion is unthinkable.

*Names have been changed within for privacy.

— Session Begins May 12, 2021 —

An exclusive opportunity to U.S. Heartbeat affiliates in good standing, Heartbeat International is partnering with WiLD Leaders to provide this professional training for pregnancy help leaders to advance their leadership skills. Working with WiLD Leaders, Heartbeat affiliates can delve deep to grow as individuals and lead intentionally. 

What is WiLD? 

WHOLE + iNTENTIONAL LEADER DEVELOPMENT (WiLD) is about seeing leaders as whole people, never shying away from the mistakes that create opportunities to learn, and intentionally crossing the superficial boundaries between our work as leaders in our families, workplaces, and communities. Leaders don’t always feel whole because they live so close to their insecurities and mistakes. Seeing leaders as whole people is not about erasing their past, minimizing their mistakes, or blindly elevating their successes, but about seeing and learning from it all. This is the focus of every tool, coaching conversation, and learning opportunity we offer – walking the line between resourcing and the heart, progress and process, and success and failure. Heartbeat has invested significantly into the development of existing and emerging leaders and this initiative serves as a next step to equip leaders in the movement who need intentional development to support and stretch them.

"I wasn't sure what to expect when I joined the WiLD Experience but WOW, the time was more than I could have even imagined!" - Carol L., a Pregnancy Help Director after going through the WiLD process.

The WiLD Toolkit: Leader Development Program + Research Insights

The WiLD Toolkit is a research-based online process built around 10 sequential developmental tools and personalized feedback reports. Unlike processes that oversimplify leadership into platitudes and one-dimensional categories of personality, skills, or behaviors, the WiLD Toolkit scaffolds the real and critical conversations regarding a leader’s experiences, successes and failures, learning, skills, purpose, conviction, character, and their investment in the learning of others.

Leader Development Program
This exclusive program for the Heartbeat community is built as a 10-week virtual course where participants can join from any geographic region. Each week, affiliates will:

1. Take an assessment tool in the WiLD Toolkit
2. Join an expert-led web session for insights and peer discussions on the assessments
3. Set goals in the WiLD Toolkit and share them with cohort members for accountability

The 10-Week Program - Starting January 27, 2021 
(Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT)

• Session 1: WiLD Kickoff Session – WiLD Tool: The WiLD Profile
• Session 2: Calling & Purpose – WiLD Tool: Calling & Purpose Inventory
• Session 3: Motivation & Goals – WiLD Tool: Purposeful Goals Assessment
• Session 4: Leading Under Pressure – WiLD Tool: Leading Under Pressure Inventory
• Session 5: Transformational Experiences – WiLD Tool: Transformational Experience Audit
• Session 6: Leadership Competence – WiLD Tool: Skills & Knowledge Inventory
• Session 7: Motivation & Learning – WiLD Tool: Motivation & Learning Inventory
• Session 8: Developing Others – WiLD Tool: People Investment Plan
• Session 9: Strategic Support – WiLD Tool: Strategic Networking Audit & Guide
• Session 10: WiLD Development Plan – WiLD Tool: The WiLD Plan

Registration

For Heartbeat-affiliated leaders, this exclusive leadership program will include 10 sessions as well as access to the WiLD Toolkit for a year for $299. Leaders who meet attendance requirements and complete all assessments will be eligible for 14 hours of credit toward their Life-Affirming Specialist Designation.

Cancellation Policy: Full refunds may be issued until 12:00 midnight EST January 20, 2021. A 50% refund is available from 12:01 AM EST January 20-January 24, 2021 11:59  EST. No refunds will be issued past 12:00 AM EST January 25, 2021. Method of payment may require additional transaction fees imposed by the credit card company. All cancellations will be subject to a $25 cancellation fee (per registration canceled) regardless of the situation. Should Heartbeat cancel the event for any reason, all monies minus a transaction fee will be returned automatically. If you do not cancel and do not attend the event, you are responsible for the full payment. Payments may not be applied toward future training or conferences. All refund requests must be submitted in writing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Expert Team

Dr. Rob McKenna, CEO
Named one of the top 30 I-O Psychologists alive today, Dr. McKenna is passionate about developing leaders and about transforming the way we see the people in our organizations. As he will tell you, we have the tools at our fingertips to invest in our people in ways that are meaningful to them and will get the results we need. Thirty years of research has taught us much how people learn and grow on the job. We have what it takes to create rich learning environments for the people we lead, and all we have to do is begin to act on what we know.

Dr. McKenna brings a combination of approachability, authenticity, expert knowledge, and humor to his talks. Whether you are interested in character development, dealing with conflict, creating engaging learning cultures, or developing the next generation of leaders, his approach of getting real about what’s going on in your life and work brings people alongside him in a way that inspires change. The models he uses in his talks are based on decades of research on leadership, team functioning, organizational health, and individual development.

He is the founder of WiLD Leaders, Inc. and creator of the WiLD Toolkit, a whole and intentional leader development process and set of tools that one leader described as “A whole approach that blurs the line between who we are as ‘workers’ and ‘human beings.” He is also the Chair of Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Seattle Pacific University. His research and coaching with thousands of leaders across corporate, not-for-profit and university settings has given him insight into the real and gritty experience of leaders. His clients have included the Boeing Company, Microsoft, Heineken, Foster Farms, the United Way, Alaska Airlines and Children’s Hospital. He is the author of numerous articles and chapters on leadership character, calling, effectiveness, and leadership under pressure. His latest book, Composed: The Heart and Science of Leading Under Pressure, focuses the specific strategies leaders can use to stay true to themselves and connected to others when it matters most.

Dr. Daniel Hallak, CCO
Nothing gets Dr. Daniel Hallak more excited than the opportunity to build authentic relationships and intentionally develop leaders. As the Chief Commercial Officer at WiLD Leaders, Daniel drives strategic commercial initiatives, and other operations, product development, and marketing efforts that support the development of whole leaders. He is known for bringing energy and thoughtful research-based practices that actually make a difference.

Before WiLD, he spent over 12 years developing whole leaders in business, academic, and not-for-profit settings. He’s run his own coaching practice and has had experiences as a recruiter at Microsoft, a Career Management Consultant at Right Management Consultants, and in a leadership development role at Slalom, an award-winning consulting firm. He’s also served as a coach, professor, and advisor at three higher education institutions including Seattle Pacific University where he helped build a new graduate business program from the ground up.

Daniel has spoken at countless events, conferences, and professional associations. His research and writing focus on how to develop people and build authentic relationships founded on generosity. He earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Seattle Pacific University, his B.A. in Psychology from Northwest University and achieved Eagle Scout Rank with the Boy Scouts of America. He lives in Seattle with his wife, Kristin, and their three children. 

Megan Lawrence
Megan is the Events and Communications Lead at WiLD Leaders. Taking her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for communication and event planning into a company that focuses on the development of leaders is a combination of all her experiences into one role. Before WiLD, Megan was a wedding and event planner and florist in LA and has had a variety of roles in higher education, as well as managerial roles in small businesses. Megan has a Masters in Organizational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University, and cares deeply about women in leadership and helping small businesses become efficient and effective. She’s married to her husband Mark and they have a beautiful son, Silas, and an awesome dog named Truvy.

You’re Invited to Attend a Very Special Virtual Event!

Reserve your space today for this Invitation-Only Zoom Event.

Select your preferred time:

July 30 at 7:00 PM Eastern -or - July 31 at 1:00 PM Eastern 

Meet Peggy

Dr. Peggy Hartshorn discerned the 4 steps she calls The L.O.V.E. Approach through her own struggles to be a better Christian wife, mother, teacher, friend, peer counselor, and leader.  In writing this book, Peggy, a retired college Professor, joins her expertise in education and communications with her heart for strong relationships and unity, especially within the Body of Christ.

Peggy served as President of Heartbeat International for 23 years, where The L.O.V.E. Approach has proven its effectiveness as a relationship-building and problem-solving tool in pregnancy help organizations worldwide.  She hopes that these 4 powerful steps will now bless your relationships as they have hers.

We hope to see you there!  

Now in partnership with Heartbeat International, Loving & Caring materials - including the My Baby & Me series - is available for purchase through Heartbeat's online store, Heart Cart. Years of relationship and collaboration developed into this partnership as Heartbeat's vast library of resources for pregnancy help organizations was already reaching a global network of pregnancy resource centers, maternity homes, non-profit adoption agencies, and medical clinics. The natural next step was to include Loving & Caring's proven resources and brochures within in order to make abortion unwanted today and unthinkable for future generations.

Please complete the following survey for each session (workshop or In-Depth training) attended at the 2020 Heartbeat Annual conference.

We are called into a movement where relationships are so important. How do you maintain these relationships, though, when your doors are closed?

First and foremost, look at your organization's policies and procedures. What does it say about confidentiality? In all that we do, we must maintain the confidence from our clients that their private information stays that way. Before implementing any of the references below, ensure that you are mindful of the most appropriate means to maintain confidentiality. 

Dear friend for life,

The Heartbeat International Annual Conference is such an important event each year for the pregnancy help community. Here, you have the ability to be trained by experts in a variety of fields to strengthen your organization and ultimately save more lives. 

While we were disappointed at first that we are not able to be together in person this year, God has continuously come through to show us that He is in control and He has bigger plans! This mission is so critical and we are incredibly appreciative of all you do for LIFE! 

To continue bringing strategic insights, exceptional training, and timely encouragement to those on the frontlines, Heartbeat has adapted our training from an in-person Conference to an Online Global Conference! This Virtual Conference will be held April 14-16 and incorporate much of the originally planned program. 

Our schedule includes more than 90 workshops, PEG Talks, live Keynote addresses, prayer, live Q&A, and even a virtual exhibit hall. We are excited to see how God uses this moment in history to advance our movement even further!

Your registration provides you with access to all the conference has to offer! The price for this Virtual Conference experience is $299, and you'll save $100 if you register by midnight April 7! That means you can get the full conference experience, for just $199!

The original cost for our training was $569+travel and lodging. This online avenue provides a savings of hundreds of dollars and allows you to view it all from the comfort of your own home or at your pregnancy help organization. Don't miss this unique opportunity.

Register Now for the Virtual Conference

Jor-El Godsey
Heartbeat International President

(03/17/2020) Dear friend for life,

Thank you all for your patience as we all adjust to this unprecedented time in our country.

We at Heartbeat are in the process of reimagining the 2020 Heartbeat International Annual Conference so please keep the conference dates on your calendar. We're excited for the possibilities!

As we move forward, we ask for your grace and promise to be in touch soon regarding your options for a conference refund to the same credit card used to register (less any transaction feels imposed by the credit card company) or registration for the new 2020 Annual Conference or, possibly, a different future event.

Please remember it is your responsibility to contact and cancel your hotel reservation directly with the Hyatt Regency.

We look forward to sharing more specific details in the upcoming days so watch your email! Again, thank you for your patience as we navigate this unique situation. For the most up-to-date information, please click here.

Please feel free to contact us should you need anything further. It would be our pleasure to assist you. Join us in continued prayers for our nation and our friends across the globe.

Yours for LIFE,

(03/14/2020) Dear friend for life,

Each of us have been called into a life-saving movement of hope. Through this great work, lives are changed and families are strengthened through the services provided by the pregnancy help network. As you care for each client who enters your doorway, so we care about each and every minister who volunteers or works within a pregnancy help organization. 

On Thursday, I wrote to you that we were moving ahead with the Annual Conference. Since that time, King County issued new guidelines recommending that large events and gatherings not be held, Seattle's Mayor suspended school until at least April 24, more than 30 states within the U.S. are in states of emergency, new international travel restrictions have been implemented, and the President of the United States declared a National Emergency as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. 

We have made the decision to suspend the in-person Annual Conference planned for Seattle next month.

This is not a decision we came to lightly; however, we are reimagining our annual gathering. While we are disappointed about the delay, we are excited about the doors God is opening that will allow us to still provide exceptional training to you. 

Please connect with your airline (if applicable) and the hotel to amend your travel arrangements. 

Stay tuned... We will be reaching out in the coming days with more specific details. We thank you for your patience as we navigate this unique situation.

For the most up-to-date information, please click here. 

As we live in interesting times, remember Psalm 91 and feel the presence of the Lord. We pray His protection over you, your team, your organization, and your family. 

Coronavirus Action Plan

(03/14/2020) The 2020 Annual Conference is POSTPONED.

We have made the decision to suspend the in-person Annual Conference planned for Seattle next month. (Click here to read Heartbeat's full statement.)

While we are disappointed about the delay, we are excited about the doors God is opening that will allow us to still provide exceptional training to you.

Stay tuned... We will be reaching out in the coming days with more specific details.

(03/11/2020) Like you, we are watching the global resources we have available through the government, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.gov), and the World Health Organization (WHO.int). With the Governor of Washington's event restrictions through March and the presidential address, we understand the concern and are monitoring the situation very carefully.

Heartbeat International will move forward as scheduled with the 2020 Annual Conference. We are currently implementing health precautions with the venue, onsite event staff and all event participants that include:

Hand sanitizer stations available when you enter and exit session rooms as well as at the registration desk
Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds when going to the restroom
Limit handshaking and other bodily contact
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. With the proper precautions, it should not have an impact on this year's event.

If we are forced to cancel, all registration monies will be refunded in full (less our transaction fees). Should circumstances change, we will notify attendees immediately.

We continue praying for our friends worldwide affected by the Coronavirus. This is an interesting time in our world, and a time to join together in prayer for peace, healing and provision.

If you are registered for the Heartbeat Conference and are a published author interested in the Pro-Life Writer's Row event, please complete the application below. Preference will be given to Heartbeat affiliates.

Applications Due: February 15 | Decisions Expected: March 3

Pregnancy Help Organizations may submit notices of job openings to the Heartbeat International office by filling out this form.

by Andy Merritt

The theme for this year’s Heartbeat Conference is “VISION.”

In Proverbs 29:18 we read, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

The pregnancy center movement was born out of the vision God gave His people to establish arks of refuge to save those perishing by the inhumanity of abortion. This God-given vision brought to our hearts brokenness over abortion as the slaughter of the most innocent, but also the faith & courage in God to take action in saving pre-born lives from abortion by establishing a network of pregnancy centers.

Pregnancy centers have saved innumerable pre-born children from the slaughter of abortion and brought God’s love and ministry to their mothers and fathers.

Can you imagine where we would be if there had been no vision?

The reason we come together in Seattle for the Heartbeat Conference is to share God’s vision for pregnancy centers and realize we need encouragement and equipping to fulfill God’s vision. This is why I believe the Heartbeat Conference is so important, and I encourage you to attend.

One of the areas that has deeply concerned me is increasing hostility toward pregnancy centers, along with the personal adversity we encounter every day which often causes weariness, discouragement, and fear.

As I prayed about this, God gave me a series of lessons entitled, “Advancing Through the Storm.” The thought being, we do not want to just weather the storm, but advance our lives, ministries, and the cause of Christ through the storm!

The series focuses on what Biblical heroes of faith teach us about dealing with persecution and adversity, so we can learn how to be heroes of faith today in the battle for life.

I am thankful for the opportunity to lead one of the Roundtable Interactive Sessions on Tuesday to address the challenge of overcoming opposition and adversity, and I am especially thankful the Conference is on the west coast where our pregnancy centers have encountered great opposition and need this encouragement.

I cordially invite you to attend my session at the conference in addition to the various learning opportunities throughout the week. Also, I pray you will experience a time of spiritual renewal and refreshing that will empower you and your ministry to continue “Advancing Through the Storm” to fulfill God’s vision.